Rigid Hinged-Lid Package for Tobacco Articles

ABSTRACT

A rigid package for tobacco articles has a cup-shaped container, which is substantially parallelepiped-shaped and has two major lateral walls, two minor lateral walls, a bottom wall, and an open top end; a cup-shaped lid hinged along a first hinge to rotate between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing the open end; and an additional panel hinged to the container along a second hinge to rotate, with respect to the container, between an unfolded position, in which the additional panel is detached from the container, and a folded position, in which the additional panel rests on a major lateral wall of the container and is maintained contacting the major lateral wall of the container by the lid in the closed position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a rigid hinged-lid package for tobaccoarticles.

The present invention may be used to particular advantage in a rigidcigarette packet, to which the following disclosure refers purely by wayof example.

BACKGROUND ART

Rigid hinged-lid cigarette packets are currently the most widelymarketed, by being easy to make, easy and practical to use, and byproviding good mechanical protection of the cigarettes inside.

A rigid hinged-lid cigarette packet normally comprises a cup-shapedcontainer having an open end; and a cup-shaped lid hinged to thecontainer along a hinge to rotate, with respect to the container,between an open position and a closed position respectively opening andclosing the open end. When the lid is in the closed position, the packetis parallelepiped-shaped, defined by a lateral surface and two endwalls.

The outer surface of the packet is normally printed with the brand, adescription of the cigarettes inside the packet, a government healthwarning, and possibly advertising messages. At times, cigarettemanufacturers need to provide customers with a considerable amount ofinformation, which cannot be printed sufficiently clearly on the outersurface of the packet, in view of the relatively small size of the outersurface, and the fact that most of it is occupied by the governmenthealth warning. For this reason, it is common practice to provide eachcigarette packet with a coupon, which is normally foldedaccordion-fashion and inserted inside the packet, or is fixed to theoutside of the packet by one or more spots of glue.

Rigid cigarette packets with coupons of the type described above areexpensive to produce, in that the packing machine must be provided withan additional station for supplying the coupon material. Moreover, acoupon detached from the packet is more awkward to consult, and, aboveall, is an annoyance to the user if not discarded when unsealing thepacket.

WO128870A1 describes a rigid hinged-lid packet, in which a foldingleaflet is glued to a lateral wall of the packet, and is foldedaccordion-fashion to lie flat on a rear wall of the packet. In use, theuser unfolds the leaflet to read the information printed on both sides,and the leaflet normally remains attached to the packet, even though theleaflet may have tear lines by which to tear part or substantially thewhole of the leaflet off the packet. The leaflet may contain informationof any kind, advertisements, promotion of new products, prize stamps,etc., and is folded out of the packet in such a way that its outer facesshow the same contents as the outer faces of the packet, so that it isunnoticeable at a glance.

A rigid cigarette packet with a coupon of the type described inWO0128870A1 solves some of the drawbacks of a rigid cigarette packetwith a separate coupon. However, once unfolded when unsealing thepacket, the coupon is difficult to fix back onto the packet neatly toavoid annoying the user.

DE19814255A1 discloses a cigarette carton having a main body and afolding lid; the rear face of the main body has additionaloutward-folding flaps covering the main rear face of the carton.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,084A1 discloses a box-like cigarette pack comprisinga lid with a tab extending below the bottom of the lid; all or part ofthe tab may be removed easily by providing a tear line between theremovable tab and the rest of the lid. The tab may be printed orembossed with any desired information, and may form a coupon orcoupon-like article when removed; until removed, the tab may be somewhatof an impediment to easy removal of the cigarettes or closure of thepack, thereby prompting the consumer to remove the tab as intended.

DE3835385A1 discloses a medication packaging box comprising a closedcontainer having a withdrawal opening on the top side of the containerand a closure cap at the withdrawal opening; and an information leafletfixed at a particular point inside the packaging box; the packaging boxis designed to open at the same place at all times, to prevent loss ofthe information leaflet.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rigid hinged-lidpackage for tobacco articles, which is easier to use than knownpackages, eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks, and, at the sametime, is cheap and easy to produce.

According to the present invention, there is provided a rigid hinged-lidpackage for tobacco articles, as claimed in the accompanying Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view in perspective of a rigid cigarette packet inaccordance with the present invention and in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2 shows a rear view in perspective of the FIG. 1 rigid cigarettepacket in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 shows a front view in perspective of the FIG. 1 rigid cigarettepacket in a partly-open configuration;

FIG. 4 shows a front view in perspective of the FIG. 1 rigid cigarettepacket in an open configuration;

FIG. 5 shows a front view in perspective of the FIG. 1 rigid cigarettepacket in a further open configuration;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show plan views of two blanks by which to produce therigid cigarette packet in FIGS. 1 to 5;

FIG. 8 shows a front view in perspective of a rigid cigarette packet inaccordance with the present invention and in an open configuration;

FIG. 9 shows a front view in perspective of the FIG. 8 rigid cigarettepacket in a further open configuration;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show plan views of two blanks by which to produce therigid cigarette packet in FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 12 shows a front view in perspective of a rigid cigarette packet inaccordance with the present invention and in an open configuration;

FIG. 13 shows a front view in perspective of a rigid cigarette packet inaccordance with the present invention and in a closed configuration;

FIGS. 14 and 15 show two front views in perspective of the FIG. 13 rigidcigarette packet in a partly-open configuration;

FIG. 16 shows a front view in perspective of the FIG. 13 rigid cigarettepacket in an open configuration;

FIGS. 17 and 18 show front views in perspective of a variation of theFIG. 13 rigid cigarette packet in a closed configuration and an openconfiguration;

FIGS. 19 and 20 show front views in perspective of a variation of theFIG. 13 rigid cigarette packet in a closed configuration and an openconfiguration;

FIGS. 21 and 22 show front views in perspective of a variation of theFIG. 13 rigid cigarette packet in a closed configuration and an openconfiguration;

FIGS. 23 and 24 show front views in perspective of a variation of theFIG. 13 rigid cigarette packet in a closed configuration and an openconfiguration;

FIGS. 25, 26 and 27 show front views in perspective of a variation ofthe FIG. 13 rigid cigarette packet in a closed configuration and twoopen configurations;

FIGS. 28 and 29 show front views in perspective of a variation of theFIG. 13 rigid cigarette packet in a closed configuration and an openconfiguration;

FIGS. 30 and 31 show a plan view of a blank and a plan view of a collarby which to produce the rigid cigarette packet in FIGS. 13-29;

FIGS. 32 and 31 show plan views of a blank by which to produce the rigidcigarette packet in FIGS. 13-29;

FIGS. 33 and 34 show plan views of two blanks by which to produce therigid cigarette packet in FIGS. 13-29;

FIGS. 35 and 36 show plan views of two blanks by which to produce therigid cigarette packet in FIGS. 13-29;

FIG. 37 shows a plan view of a further blank by which to produce therigid cigarette packet in FIGS. 13-29;

FIG. 38 shows a view in perspective of the FIG. 43 blank in apartially-folded configuration;

FIG. 39 shows a front view in perspective of a rigid cigarette packet inaccordance with the present invention and in a closed configuration;

FIGS. 40 and 41 show two front views in perspective of the FIG. 39 rigidcigarette packet in a partly-open configuration;

FIG. 42 shows a front view in perspective of the FIG. 39 rigid cigarettepacket in an open configuration;

FIG. 43 shows a plan view of a blank by which to produce the rigidcigarette packet in FIG. 39;

FIG. 44 shows a front view in perspective of a rigid cigarette packet inaccordance with the present invention and in a closed configuration;

FIG. 45 shows a front view in perspective of the FIG. 44 rigid cigarettepacket in a partly-open configuration;

FIG. 46 shows a front view in perspective of the FIG. 44 rigid cigarettepacket in an open configuration; and

FIG. 47 shows a plan view of a blank by which to produce the rigidcigarette packet in FIG. 44.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT TH INVENTION

Number 1 in FIG. 1 indicates as a whole a rigid cigarette packetcontaining an orderly, parallelepiped-shaped group 2 of cigarettes(FIGS. 4 and 5) wrapped in a sheet of foil wrapping material having atear-off top end frequently marked “PULL”.

Packet 1 comprises a cup-shaped container 3 having an open top end 4;and a cup-shaped lid 5 hinged along a hinge 6 to rotate, with respect tocontainer 3, between an open position (FIGS. 3-5) and a closed position(FIGS. 1 and 2) respectively opening and closing open end 4.

Container 3 is parallelepiped-shaped, and has two major lateral walls 7and 8, two minor lateral walls 9, and a bottom wall 10. As stated,container 3 is open at the top at open top end 4. More specifically,major lateral wall 7 defines a front wall 7 of container 3, and majorlateral wall 8 defines a rear wall 8 of container 3.

Four longitudinal edges 11 are defined between minor lateral walls 9 andmajor lateral walls 7 and 8, and four transverse edges 12 are definedbetween bottom wall 10 and lateral walls 7, 8 and 9. As shown in theaccompanying drawings, longitudinal edges 11 and transverse edges 12 aresharp, square edges.

Packet 1 also comprises an additional panel 13 hinged to container 3along a hinge 14 to rotate, with respect to container 3, between anunfolded position (FIGS. 4 and 5), in which additional panel 13 isdetached from container 3, and a folded position (FIGS. 1-3), in whichadditional panel 13 rests on major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 ofcontainer 3. More specifically, in the folded position, additional panel13 is maintained contacting major lateral wall 7 of container 3 by lid 5in the closed position; for which purpose, additional panel 13 issubstantially the same size as major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 ofcontainer 3.

As shown clearly in FIG. 2, lid 5 is hinged to container 3 along hinge6, which is located on major lateral wall 8 or rear wall 8 of container3. More specifically, hinge 6 of lid 5 is parallel to transverse edges12 of container 3, and located at a top perimeter line of major lateralwall 8 or rear wall 8 of container 3.

Hinge 14 of additional panel 13 is parallel to longitudinal edges 11 andcoincident with one of the longitudinal edges 11 extending along majorlateral wall 7 or front wall 7 of container 3.

In the FIG. 1-5 embodiment, additional panel 13 comprises twoprojections 15, which project laterally from additional panel 13, engagerespective inner surfaces of lid 5 when lid 5 is in the closed position,and provide for keeping lid 5 in the closed position with a certainamount of force, to prevent lid 5 from opening inadvertently.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, projections 15 are only providedon major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 of container 3, or are providedon both major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 of container 3, andadditional panel 13.

To facilitate withdrawal of the cigarettes from open top end 4 ofcontainer 3, a top portion of major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 ofcontainer 3 has a recess 16.

As shown in FIG. 5, a further panel 17 is preferably hinged toadditional panel 13 along a hinge 18 parallel to and opposite hinge 14of additional panel 13. A number of panels 17 may be provided, hinged toone another to unfold accordion-fashion.

In one possible embodiment, hinge 14 of panel 13 and/or hinge 18 ofpanel 17 are each/is defined by a tear line enabling easy detachment bythe user of panel 17, or of panel 13 together with panel 17, fromcontainer 3.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, container 3 in FIGS. 1 to 5 is formed fromtwo flat blanks 19 and 20, the component parts of which are indicatedwhere possible using the same reference numbers, with superscripts, asfor the corresponding parts of container 3.

Blank 19 comprises two longitudinal fold lines 21; and a transverse foldline 22 defining, between the two longitudinal fold lines 21, a panel 7′defining major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 of container 3, and asecond panel 10′ defining part of bottom wall 10 of container 3. Panel7′ has two wings 9′, which define respective parts of minor lateralwalls 9 of container 3, are located on opposite sides of panel 7′, andare separated from panel 7′ by longitudinal fold lines 21; and each wing9′ has a respective tab 23 separated from wing 9′ by transverse foldline 22.

Blank 20 comprises two longitudinal fold lines 24; and a number oftransverse fold lines 25 defining, between the two longitudinal foldlines 24, a panel 26 defining a front wall of lid 5, a panel 27 defininga top wall of lid 5, a panel 8′ defining major lateral wall 8 or rearwall 8 of container 3, and a panel 10″ defining part of bottom wall 10of container 3. Panel 8′ has two wings 9″, which define respective partsof minor lateral walls 9 of container 3, are located on opposite sidesof panel 8′, and are separated from panel 8′ by longitudinal fold lines24. Additional panel 13 is connected to one of wings 9″ of panel 8′along hinge line 14 coincident with one of longitudinal fold lines 24.

Preferably, panel 26 comprises two wings 28, which define the lateralwalls of lid 5, are located on opposite sides of panel 26, and areseparated from panel 26 by longitudinal fold lines 24; and panel 27comprises two wings 29 located on opposite sides of panel 27 andseparated from panel 27 by longitudinal fold lines 24. Panel 26 alsocomprises a reinforcing flap 30 which is folded onto panel 26.

In the FIGS. 8 and 9 embodiment, hinge 6 of lid 5 is located onadditional panel 13, which, when in the folded position, rests on majorlateral wall 8 or rear wall 8 of container 3. When additional panel 13is in the folded position, hinge 6 of lid 5 is parallel to transverseedges 12, and is located at a top perimeter line of major lateral wall 8or rear wall 8 of container 3. Hinge 14 of additional panel 13 isparallel to longitudinal edges 11 and coincident with one of thelongitudinal edges 11 extending along major lateral wall 8 or rear wall8 of container 3.

Major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 of container 3 comprises twoprojections 15, which project laterally from major lateral wall 7, andengage respective inner surfaces of lid 5 when lid 5 is in the closedposition.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a top portion of major lateral wall 8 or rearwall 8 of container 3 has a recess 16. Alternatively, a top portion ofonly major lateral wall 7 or also of major lateral wall 7 may comprise arecess 16.

The FIG. 10 blank 19 for producing packet 1 in FIGS. 8 and 9 isidentical with the FIG. 6 blank 19 for producing packet 1 in FIGS. 1 to5; whereas the FIG. 11 blank 20 for producing packet 1 in FIGS. 8 and 9is similar to, but not identical with, the FIG. 7 blank 20 for producingpacket 1 in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Blank 20 in FIG. 11 comprises a number of longitudinal fold lines 24;and a number of transverse fold lines 25 defining, between twolongitudinal fold lines 24, a panel 26 defining a front wall of lid 5, apanel 27 defining a top wall of lid 5, and additional panel 13. Blank 20also comprises a panel 8′ defining major lateral wall 8 or rear wall 8of container 3; and a panel 10″ defining part of bottom wall 10 ofcontainer 3. Panel 8′ comprises two wings 9″, which define respectiveparts of minor lateral walls 9 of container 3, are located on oppositesides of panel 8′, and are separated from panel 8′ by longitudinal foldlines 24; b

In the FIG. 12 embodiment, hinge 14 of additional panel 13 is parallelto transverse edges 12 and coincident with the transverse edge 12extending across major lateral wall or front wall 7 of container 3.

In a further embodiment not shown, hinge 14 of additional panel 13 isparallel to transverse edges 12 and located on front wall 7 at recess16. That is, additional panel 13 is connected to front wall 7 of thecontainer by hinge 14, which is parallel to transverse edges 12 andlocated on front wall 7 at recess 16. Additional panel 13 preferably hasa transverse dimension smaller than the transverse dimension of frontwall 7, and in particular has a transverse dimension substantially equalto the transverse dimension of recess 16.

In a further embodiment not shown, a collar is located inside container3, and projects partly from top open end 4 of container 3. In whichcase, hinge 14 of additional panel 13 may be formed on the collar, so asto be parallel to transverse edges 12 and located at recess 16.Additional panel 13 preferably has a transverse dimension smaller thanthe transverse dimension of front wall 7, and in particular has atransverse dimension substantially equal to the transverse dimension ofrecess 16.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, the top portions of majorlateral wall 7 and minor lateral walls 9 of container 3 which come intocontact with lid 5, when lid 5 is in the closed position, may bedebossed, so as to be depressed with respect to the rest of majorlateral wall 7 and minor lateral walls 9 of container 3, and so preventthe formation of a step between the bottom edge of lid 5 and lateralwalls 7 and 9 of container 3 when lid 5 is in the closed position.

A releasable fastening system may be provided between additional panel13 and respective major lateral wall 7 or 8 of container 3, to keepadditional panel 13 in contact with major lateral wall 7 or 8 ofcontainer 3 with a certain amount of force when additional panel 13 isin the folded position. Such a releasable fastening system may bedefined, for example, by one or more spots of adhesive, or by a slitformed in major lateral wall 7 or 8 of container 3 to receive a bottomedge of additional panel 13 (in which case, additional panel 13 isslightly smaller than major lateral walls 7 and 8 of container 3).

In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, longitudinal edges11 and transverse edges 12 are sharp, square edges. In an alternativeembodiment not shown, some of longitudinal edges 11 and/or some oftransverse edges 12 are non-square, rounded or bevelled edges. Forexample, longitudinal edges 11 may be non-square, rounded or bevellededges, or (as in the packet of cigarettes described in PatentApplication EP-A1-0764595) the major transverse edges 12 (i.e. betweenbottom wall 10 and major lateral walls 7 and 8) may be non-square,rounded or bevelled edges. Alternatively, some longitudinal edges 11 andsome transverse edges 12 may be non-square, rounded edges, so as to haveboth non-square, rounded or bevelled longitudinal edges 11 andnon-square, rounded or bevelled transverse edges 12.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, container 3 may be shaped as inthe packet of cigarettes described in Patent Application EP-A1-1066205;in which case, each major lateral wall 7, 8 is outwardly convex, and hasa flat central portion, and two curved, pre-weakened lateral bandsconnecting the flat central portion to minor lateral walls 9 atrespective sharp, non-square longitudinal edges 11.

Both additional panel 13 and further panel 17, if provided, maypreferably be printed with drawings, photographs, symbols or texts; forwhich purpose, the surfaces of additional panel 13 and further panel 17which are superimposed when panel 13 is in the folded position arepreferably not glazed.

With respect to the FIG. 1-5 embodiment, the FIG. 13-16 embodiment hasno further panel 17 hinged to panel 13, minor lateral walls 9 ofcontainer 3 are smaller in height than rear wall 8 of container 3 tofacilitate withdrawal of the cigarettes from container 3, and recess 16of front wall 7 of container 3 is asymmetrical and more pronounced atthe longitudinal edge 11 opposite hinge 14 of additional panel 13.

More specifically, the top edge of each minor lateral wall 9 issubstantially coincident with the equivalent bottom edge of lid 5 whenlid 5 is in the closed position (FIG. 13) closing open end 4. The topedge of each minor lateral wall 9 therefore slopes, and each minorlateral wall 9 is in the form of a right-angle trapezium having themajor base at rear wall 8 of container 3.

In the FIG. 13-16 embodiment, there is no collar inside container 3. Analternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 17-27, comprises a collar 31,which is folded into a U and glued to the inside of container 3 toproject partly outwards of open top end 4 and engage a correspondinginner surface of lid 5 when lid 5 is in the closed position. The topedge of collar 31 is depressed to define a recess 32 to facilitatewithdrawal of the cigarettes from container 3. In a preferredembodiment, recess 32 of collar 31 is asymmetrical like recess 16 offront wall 7 of container 3. More specifically, recess 32 of collar 31is only present at front wall 7 of container 3 and at the minor lateralwall 9 opposite hinge 14 of additional panel 13. In other words, recess32 is not present at the minor lateral wall 9 featuring hinge 14 ofadditional panel 13.

The FIG. 13-16 embodiment has no fastening member for holding additionalpanel 13 on front wall 7 of container 3 when lid 5 is in the openposition opening open top end 4 of container 3. An alternativeembodiment, shown in FIGS. 19-29, comprises a releasable fasteningsystem 33 for holding additional panel 13 on front wall 7 of container 3when lid 5 is in the open position opening open top end 4 of container3.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 23 and 24, releasable fasteningsystem 33 comprises a replaceable adhesive tab 34, which is connectedpermanently to a minor lateral wall 9 of container 3 and releasably toadditional panel 13. To rotate additional panel 13 about hinge 14,adhesive tab 34 is detached from additional panel 13; and, to holdadditional panel 13 on front wall 7 of container 3, adhesive tab 34 isstuck to additional panel 13.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19-22 and 25-27, releasable fasteningsystem 33 comprises a tongue 35 projecting laterally from additionalpanel 13; and a slit 36 for receiving tongue 35, and which is formedthrough front wall 7 of container 3, at a longitudinal edge 11, so as toface tongue 35 when additional panel 13 is positioned contacting frontwall 7. To rotate additional panel 13 about hinge 14, tongue 35 isextracted from slit 36; and, to hold additional panel 13 on front wall 7of container 3, tongue 35 is inserted inside slit 36. A certain amountof shape/dimensional interference may be provided between tongue 35 andslit 36, so that a certain amount of flexing of tongue 35 is required towithdraw tongue 35 from slit 36.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, releasable fastening system33 comprises a slit 36 for receiving an end corner portion of additionalpanel 13, and which is formed through front wall 7 of container 3, closeto where the longitudinal edge 11 opposite hinge 14 of additional panel13 meets the bottom transverse edge 12. In a preferred embodiment shownin FIGS. 28 and 29, slit 36 and the end corner portion of additionalpanel 13 inserted inside slit 36 are rounded.

Packet 1 in FIGS. 17 and 18 differs from packet 1 in FIGS. 13-16 bycomprising collar 31 and releasable fastening system 33 comprisingadhesive tab 34.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, additional panel 13comprises a central through hole 37, through which a correspondingunderlying portion of front wall 7 of container 3 is visible whenadditional panel 13 is positioned contacting front wall 7. Hole 37 maybe clear, or may be closed by a sheet 38 of transparent orsemitransparent material glued to the inside or back of additional panel13. Hole 37 may also be in the form of an image (not shown) printed onfront wall 7 of container 3.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the pieces 39 of a buildableitem; e.g. a small aeroplane (not shown assembled), can be torn offadditional panel 13 and/or front wall 7 of container 3. In other words,the outlines of pieces 39 of a buildable item are precut into additionalpanel 13 and/or front wall 7 of container 3, so pieces 39 can be tornoff.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, a seat 40 is formed on aninner surface of additional panel 13 to hold a small object 41 e.g. aperfume sample, cosmetic sample, or confectionary product. To allow forthe thickness of object 41, additional panel 13 comprises two tabs 42 tokeep additional panel 13 raised with respect to front wall 7 ofcontainer 3 when additional panel 13 is positioned against front wall 7.

In the FIG. 25-27 embodiment, a movable insert 43 is connected to frontwall 7 of container 3, is parallel to and rests on front wall 7 whenadditional panel 13 is positioned against front wall 7, and is erectedperpendicular to front wall 7 when additional panel 13 is detached fromfront wall 7. More specifically, a marginal portion of movable insert 43is fixed to an inner surface of additional panel 13, so that movableinsert 43 is moved automatically as additional panel 13 rotates abouthinge 14. In an alternative embodiment not shown, movable insert 43 isconnected to additional panel 13 as opposed to front wall 7.

As shown in FIG. 30, containers 3 in FIGS. 13 to 29 can be formed from aflat blank 20, the component parts of which are indicated where possibleusing the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for thecorresponding parts of container 3.

Blank 20 comprises two longitudinal fold lines 24; and a number oftransverse fold lines 25 defining, between the two longitudinal foldlines 24, a panel 26 defining a front wall of lid 5, a panel 27 defininga top wall of lid 5, a panel 8′ defining major lateral wall 8 or rearwall 8 of container 3, a panel 10′ defining bottom wall 10 of container3, and a panel 7′ defining major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 ofcontainer 3.

Panel 8′ has two wings 9″, which define respective parts of minorlateral walls 9 of container 3, are located on opposite sides of panel8′, and are separated from panel 8′ by longitudinal fold lines 24.

Additional panel 13 is defined by two panels 13′ and 13″, which aresuperimposed and glued one to the other; panel 13′ is connected to panel7′ along hinge line 14 coincident with one of longitudinal fold lines24, and panel 13″ is connected to panel 13′ along a longitudinal foldline parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24.

Preferably, panel 26 comprises two wings 28, which define the lateralwalls of lid 5, are located on opposite sides of panel 26, and areseparated from panel 26 by longitudinal fold lines 24; and each wing 9″comprises two further wings 29′ and 29″ separated from wing 9″ bytransverse fold lines 25. Panel 26 also comprises a reinforcing flap 30which is folded onto panel 26.

Minor lateral walls 9 of container 3 are partially defined by two wings91, a first of which is connected to panel 7′ along a longitudinal foldline 24, and a second of which is connected to panel 13″ along alongitudinal fold line parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24.

As shown in FIG. 32, containers 3 in FIGS. 13 to 29 can be formed from aflat blank 20, the component parts of which are indicated where possibleusing the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for thecorresponding parts of container 3. Blank 20 in FIG. 32 is almostidentical to blank 20 in FIG. 30, the only difference being the presenceof slit 36 in the FIG. 32 blank 20.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, containers 3 in FIGS. 13 to 33 can beformed from two flat blanks 19 and 20, the component parts of which areindicated where possible using the same reference numbers, withsuperscripts, as for the corresponding parts of container 3.

Blank 19 comprises two longitudinal fold lines 21; and a transverse foldline 22 defining, between the two longitudinal fold lines 21, a panel 7′defining major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 of container 3, and asecond panel 10′ defining part of bottom wall 10 of container 3. Panel7′ has two wings 9′, which define respective parts of minor lateralwalls 9 of container 3, are located on opposite sides of panel 7′, andare separated from panel 7′ by longitudinal fold lines 21; and one wing9′ has a tab 23 separated from wing 91 by transverse fold line 22.

Blank 20 comprises two longitudinal fold lines 24; and a number oftransverse fold lines 25 defining, between the two longitudinal foldlines 24, a panel 26 defining a front wall of lid 5, a panel 27 defininga top wall of lid 5, a panel 8′ defining major lateral wall 8 or rearwall 8 of container 3, a panel 10″ defining part of bottom wall 10 ofcontainer 3, and a panel 13′ defining part of additional panel 13.

Panel 8′ has two wings 9″, which define respective parts of minorlateral walls 9 of container 3, are located on opposite sides of panel8′, and are separated from panel 8′ by longitudinal fold lines 24.

Preferably, panel 26 comprises two wings 28, which define the lateralwalls of lid 5, are located on opposite sides of panel 26, and areseparated from panel 26 by longitudinal fold lines 24; and each wing 9″comprises two further wings 29′ and 29″ separated from wing 9″ bytransverse fold lines 25. Panel 26 also comprises a reinforcing flap 30which is folded onto panel 26.

Additional panel 13 is defined by two panels 13′ and 13″, which aresuperimposed and glued one to the other; panel 13″ is connected to panel13′ along a longitudinal fold line 24. A further wing 9′″ is connectedto panel 13′ along a longitudinal fold line 24, and a further wing 9′″is connected to a wing 9″ along a longitudinal fold line parallel tolongitudinal fold lines 24.

As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, containers 3 in FIGS. 13 to 33 can beformed from two flat blanks 19 and 20, the component parts of which areindicated where possible using the same reference numbers, withsuperscripts, as for the corresponding parts of container 3.

Blank 19 comprises two longitudinal fold lines 21; and a transverse foldline 22 defining, between the two longitudinal fold lines 21, a panel 7′defining major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 of container 3, and asecond panel 10′ defining part of bottom wall 10 of container 3. Panel7′ has o wings 9′, which define respective parts of minor lateral walls9 of container 3, are located on opposite sides of panel 7′, and areseparated from panel 7′ by longitudinal fold lines 21.

Blank 20 comprises two longitudinal fold lines 24; and a number oftransverse fold lines 25 defining, between the two longitudinal foldlines 24, a panel 26 defining a front wall of lid 5, a panel 27 defininga top wall of lid 5, a panel 8′ defining major lateral wall 8 or rearwall 8 of container 3, a panel 10″ defining part of bottom wall 10 ofcontainer 3, and a panel 13′ defining part of additional panel 13.

Panel 8′ has two wings 9″, which define respective parts of minorlateral walls 9 of container 3, are located on opposite sides of panel8′, and are separated from panel 8′ by longitudinal fold lines 24.

Preferably, panel 26 comprises two wings 28, which define the lateralwalls of lid 5, are located on opposite sides of panel 26, and areseparated from panel 26 by longitudinal fold lines 24; and each wing 9″comprises two further wings 29′ and 29″ separated from wing 9″ bytransverse fold lines 25. Panel 26 also comprises a reinforcing flap 30which is folded onto panel 26.

Additional panel 13 is defined by two panels 13′ and 13″, which aresuperimposed and glued one to the other; panel 13″ is connected to panel13′ along a longitudinal fold line 24. A further wing 9′″ is connectedto panel 13′ along a longitudinal fold line 24.

As shown in FIG. 37, containers 3 in FIGS. 13 to 29 can be formed from aflat blank 20, the component parts of which are indicated where possibleusing the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for thecorresponding parts of container 3.

Blank 20 comprises two longitudinal fold lines 24; and a number oftransverse fold lines 25 defining, between the two longitudinal foldlines 24, a panel 26 defining a front wall of lid 5, a panel 27 defininga top wall of lid 5, a panel 8′ defining major lateral wall 8 or rearwall 8 of container 3, and a panel 10′ defining part of bottom wall 10of container 3.

Panel 8′ has two wings 9″, which define respective parts of minorlateral walls 9 of container 3, are located on opposite sides of panel8′, and are separated from panel 8′ by longitudinal fold lines 24. Apanel 7′ defining major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 of container 3 isconnected to one of wings 9″ along a longitudinal fold line parallel tolongitudinal fold lines 24. A panel 10″ defining part of bottom wall 10of container 3 is connected to panel 7′ along a transverse fold line 25.

Additional panel 13 is defined by two panels 13′ and 13″, which aresuperimposed and glued one to the other; panel 13′ is connected to panel7′ along hinge line 14 parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24, and panel13″ is connected to panel 13′ along a longitudinal fold line parallel tolongitudinal fold lines 24. A further wing 9′ defining part of a minorlateral wall 9 of container 3 is connected to panel 13″ along alongitudinal fold line parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24.

Preferably, panel 26 comprises two wings 28, which define the lateralwalls of lid 5, are located on opposite sides of panel 26, and areseparated from panel 26 by longitudinal fold lines 24; and each wing 9″comprises two further wings 29′ and 29″ separated from wing 9″ bytransverse fold lines 25. Panel 26 also comprises a reinforcing flap 30which is folded onto panel 26.

Blank 20 in FIG. 37 may be gummed and folded into the tubularconfiguration shown in FIG. 38. More specifically, panel 13′ is foldedand glued to panel 13″ to define additional panel 13, and wing 9′ isfolded and glued to the opposite wing 9″. Once formed into the tubularconfiguration, blank 20 in FIG. 37 may be flattened (as shown in FIG.38) for compactness and easy storage and transport, or may be “opened”to receive an axially fed group 2 of cigarettes.

With respect to the FIG. 1-5 embodiment, as opposed to being hinged toadditional panel 13, further panel 17 in the FIG. 39-42 embodiment ishinged to container 3, on the opposite side of panel 13, along a furtherhinge 18 coincident with a longitudinal edge 11, so that the two panels13 and 17 define two “wings” covering front wall 7 of container 3.

With respect to the FIG. 1-5 embodiment, minor lateral walls 9 ofcontainer 3 in the FIG. 39-42 embodiment are smaller in height than rearwall 8 of container 3 to facilitate withdrawal of the cigarettes fromcontainer 3. In other words, minor lateral walls 9 in FIGS. 39-42resemble minor lateral walls 9 in FIGS. 13-16. More specifically, thetop edge of each minor lateral wall 9 substantially coincides with theequivalent bottom edge of lid 5 when lid 5 is in the closed position(FIG. 39) closing open end 4. The top edge of each minor lateral wall 9therefore slopes, and each minor lateral wall 9 is in the form of aright-angle trapezium having the major base at rear wall 8 of container3.

In packet 1 in FIGS. 39-42, the recess of front wall 7 of container 3 issymmetrical in shape resembling the symmetrical arrangement of panels 13and 17 The FIG. 39-42 embodiment has no collar inside container 3,though a collar may be provided in an alternative embodiment not shown.

As shown in FIG. 43, containers 3 in FIGS. 39 to 42 can be formed from aflat blank 20, the component parts of which are indicated where possibleusing the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for thecorresponding parts of container 3.

Blank 20 comprises two longitudinal fold lines 24; and a number oftransverse fold lines 25 defining, between the two longitudinal foldlines 24, a panel 26 defining a front wall of lid 5, a panel 27 defininga top wall of lid 5, a panel 8′ defining major lateral wall 8 or rearwall 8 of container 3, a panel 10′ defining bottom wall 10 of container3, and a panel 7′ defining major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 ofcontainer 3.

Panel 8′ has two wings 9″, which define respective parts of minorlateral walls 9 of container 3, are located on opposite sides of panel8′, and are separated from panel 8′ by longitudinal fold lines 24.

Additional panel 13 is defined by two panels 13′ and 13″, which aresuperimposed and glued one to the other; panel 13′ is connected to panel7′ along hinge line 14 coincident with one of longitudinal fold lines24, and panel 13″ is connected to panel 13′ along a longitudinal foldline parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24.

Additional panel 17 is defined by two panels 17′ and 17″, which aresuperimposed and glued one to the other; panel 17′ is connected to panel7′ along hinge line 18 coincident with one of longitudinal fold lines24, and panel 17″ is connected to panel 17′ along a longitudinal foldline parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24.

Preferably, panel 26 comprises two wings 28, which define the lateralwalls of lid 5, are located on opposite sides of panel 26, and areseparated from panel 26 by longitudinal fold lines 24; and each wing 9″comprises two further wings 29′ and 29″ separated from wing 9″ bytransverse fold lines 25. Panel 26 also comprises a reinforcing flap 30which is folded onto panel 26.

Minor lateral walls 9 of container 3 are partially defined by two wings9′, a first of which is connected to panel 17″ along a longitudinal foldline parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24, and a second of which isconnected to panel 13″ along a longitudinal fold line parallel tolongitudinal fold lines 24.

With respect to the FIG. 39-42 embodiment, panels 13 and 17 in the FIG.44-46 embodiment are halved in size, and, as opposed to beingsuperimposed one on top of the other on front wall 7 of container 3, aresuperimposed side by side on front wall 7 of container 3.

As shown in FIG. 47, containers 3 in FIGS. 44 to 46 can be formed from aflat blank 20, the component parts of which are indicated where possibleusing the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for thecorresponding parts of container 3.

Blank 20 comprises two longitudinal fold lines 24; and a number oftransverse fold lines 25 defining, between the two longitudinal foldlines 24, a panel 26 defining a front wall of lid 5, a panel 27 defininga top wall of lid 5, a panel 8′ defining major lateral wall 8 or rearwall 8 of container 3, a panel 10′ defining bottom wall 10 of container3, and a panel 7′ defining major lateral wall 7 or front wall 7 ofcontainer 3.

Panel 8′ has two wings 9″, which define respective parts of minorlateral walls 9 of container 3, are located on opposite sides of panel8′, and are separated from panel 8′ by longitudinal fold lines 24.

Additional panel 13 is defined by two panels 13′ and 13″, which aresuperimposed and glued one to the other; panel 13′ is connected to panel7′ along hinge line 14 coincident with one of longitudinal fold lines24, and panel 13″ is connected to panel 13′ along a longitudinal foldline parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24.

Additional panel 17 is defined by two panels 17′ and 17″, which aresuperimposed and glued one to the other; panel 17′ is connected to panel7′ along hinge line 14 coincident with one of longitudinal fold lines24, and panel 17″ is connected to panel 17′ along a longitudinal foldline parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24.

Preferably, panel 26 comprises two wings 28, which define the lateralwalls of lid 5, are located on opposite sides of panel 26, and areseparated from panel 26 by longitudinal fold lines 24; and each wing 9″comprises two further wings 29′ and 29″ separated from wing 9″ bytransverse fold lines 25. Panel 26 also comprises a reinforcing flap 30which is folded onto panel 26.

Minor lateral walls 9 of container 3 are partially defined by two wings9′, a first of which is connected to panel 17″ along a longitudinal foldline parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24, and a second of which isconnected to panel 13″ along a longitudinal fold line parallel tolongitudinal fold lines 24.

Packet 1 as described above has several advantages: it can be madequickly and easily on a known automatic packing machine with only a fewminor adjustments; the coupon is connected physically to one of theblanks used to produce packet 1, and therefore need not be suppliedseparately; the cigarettes can be extracted from packet 1 by theconsumer without unfolding the coupon; and, once unfolded, the couponcan be refolded quickly and easily, and can therefore be left attachedto packet 1 without annoying the user.

In view of the numerous advantages of packet 1 as described above, thedesign of packet 1 may also be applied integrally to the manufacture ofother types of rigid containers for tobacco articles, such as acigarette carton or cigar packet.

1. A rigid package for tobacco articles, comprising: a cup-shapedcontainer (3), which is substantially parallelepiped-shaped, andcomprises two major lateral walls (7, 8), two minor lateral walls (9), abottom wall (10), and an open top end (4); a cup-shaped lid (5) hingedalong a first hinge (6) to rotate between an open position and a closedposition respectively opening and closing the open end (4); and at leastone additional panel (13) hinged to the container (3) along a secondhinge (14) to rotate, with respect to the container (3), between anunfolded position, in which the additional panel (13) is detached fromthe container (3), and a folded position, in which the additional panel(13) rests on a major lateral wall (7; 8) of the container (3); thepackage (1) is characterized in that, when the additional panel (13) isin the folded position, the additional panel (13) is maintainedcontacting a major lateral wall (7; 8) of the container (3) by the lid(5) in the closed position.
 2. A package as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe first hinge (6) of the lid (5) is located on a first major lateralwall (8) of the container (3), and the additional panel (13) rests on asecond major lateral wall (7) when the additional panel (13) is in thefolded position.
 3. A package as claimed in claim 2, wherein fourlongitudinal edges (11) are defined between the major lateral walls (7,8) and the minor lateral walls (9) of the container (3); and the firsthinge (6) of the lid (5) is perpendicular to the longitudinal edges(11).
 4. A package as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second hinge (14)of the additional panel (13) is parallel to the longitudinal edges (11)and coincident with one of the longitudinal edges (11) extending alongthe second major lateral wall (7).
 5. A package as claimed in claim 3,wherein the second hinge (14) of the additional panel (13) isperpendicular to the longitudinal edges (11) and located at a bottomperimeter line of the second major lateral wall (7).
 6. A package asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the first hinge (6) of the lid (5) islocated at a top perimeter line of the first major lateral wall (8). 7.A package as claimed in claim 2, wherein the additional panel (13)comprises two projections (15), which project laterally and engagerespective inner surfaces of the lid (5) when the lid (5) is in theclosed position.
 8. A package as claimed in of claim 2, wherein thesecond major lateral wall (7) comprises two projections (15), whichproject laterally and engage respective inner surfaces of the lid (5)when the lid (5) is in the closed position.
 9. A package as claimed inclaim 2, wherein a top portion of the second major lateral wall (7)comprises a recess (16).
 10. A package as claimed in claim 9, whereinthe recess (16) is symmetrical in shape.
 11. A package as claimed inclaim 9, wherein the recess (16) is asymmetrical in shape, and is morepronounced at the longitudinal edge (11) opposite the second hinge (14)of the additional panel (13).
 12. A package as claimed in claim 2,wherein each minor lateral wall (9) of the container (3) is in the formof a right-angle trapezium having the major base at the first majorlateral wall (8) of the container (3), and has a sloping top edge.
 13. Apackage as claimed in claim 2, wherein a collar (31) is provided, and isfolded into a U and glued to the inside of the container (3) to projectpartly outwards of the open top end (4) and engage a corresponding innersurface of the lid (5) when the lid (5) is in the closed position.
 14. Apackage as claimed in claim 13, wherein the top edge of the collar (31)is depressed to define a recess (32).
 15. A package as claimed in claim14, wherein the recess (32) of the collar (31) is asymmetrical.
 16. Apackage as claimed in claim 15, wherein the recess (32) of the collar(31) is only present at the second major lateral wall (7) of thecontainer (3) and at the minor lateral wall (9) opposite the secondhinge (14) of the additional panel (13).
 17. A package as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the additional panel (13) has a central through hole(37), through which a corresponding underlying portion of the secondmajor lateral wall (7) of the container (3) is visible when theadditional panel (13) is positioned contacting the second major lateralwall (7).
 18. A package as claimed in claim 17, wherein the hole (37) isclosed by a sheet (38) of transparent or semitransparent material gluedto the inside or back of the additional panel (13).
 19. A package asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the component parts (39) of a buildableobject can be torn from the additional panel (13) and/or from the secondmajor lateral wall (7) of the container (3).
 20. A package as claimed inclaim 2, wherein a seat (40) for a small object (41) is formed on aninner surface of the additional panel (13).
 21. A package as claimed inclaim 20, wherein, to allow for the thickness of the object (41), theadditional panel (13) comprises two tabs (42) for keeping the additionalpanel (13) raised with respect to the second major lateral wall (7) ofthe container (3) when the additional panel (13) is positioned againstthe second major lateral wall (7).
 22. A package as claimed in claim 2,wherein a movable insert (43) is connected to the second major lateralwall (7) of the container (3), is parallel to and rests on the secondmajor lateral wall (7) when the additional panel (13) is positionedagainst the second major lateral wall (7), and is erected perpendicularto the second major lateral wall (7) when the additional panel (13) isdetached from the second major lateral wall (7); and a marginal portionof the movable insert (43) is fixed to an inner surface of theadditional panel (13), so that the movable insert (43) is movedautomatically as the additional panel (13) rotates about the secondhinge (14).
 23. A package as claimed in of claim 2, and comprising afurther panel (17) hinged to the second major lateral wall (7) of thecontainer (3) along a third hinge (18) parallel to and opposite thesecond hinge (14), the two panels (13, 17) define two “wings” coveringthe second major lateral wall (7) of the container (3).
 24. A package asclaimed in claim 23, wherein the two panels (13, 17) are each the samesize as the second major lateral wall (7) of the container (3), and aresuperimposed one on top of the other on the second major lateral wall(7).
 25. A package as claimed in claim 23, wherein the two panels (13,17) are each half the size of the second major lateral wall (7) of thecontainer (3), and are superimposed side by side on the second majorlateral wall (7).
 26. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the firsthinge (6) of the lid (5) is located on the additional panel (13), whichrests on a first major lateral wall (8) when the additional panel (13)is in the folded position.
 27. A package as claimed in claim 26, whereinfour longitudinal edges (11) are defined between the major lateral walls(7, 8) and the minor lateral walls (9) of the container (3); the firsthinge (6) of the lid (5) is perpendicular to the longitudinal edges (11)when the additional panel (13) is in the folded position; and the secondhinge (14) of the additional panel (13) is parallel to the longitudinaledges (11) and coincident with one of the longitudinal edges (11)extending along the first major lateral wall (8).
 28. A package asclaimed in claim 26, wherein the first hinge (6) of the lid (5) islocated at a top perimeter line of the first major lateral wall (8) whenthe additional panel (13) is in the folded position.
 29. A package asclaimed in claim 27, wherein a second major lateral wall (7) of thecontainer (3) comprises two projections (15), which project laterallyand engage respective inner surfaces of the lid (5) when the lid (5) isin the closed position.
 30. A package as claimed in claim 27, wherein atop portion of the first major lateral wall (8) of the container (3)comprises a recess (16).
 31. A package as claimed in claim 27, wherein atop portion of a second major lateral wall (7) of the container (3)comprises a recess (16).
 32. A package as claimed in claim 1, andcomprising a further panel (17) hinged to the additional panel (13)along a third hinge (18) parallel to and opposite the second hinge (14).33. A package as claimed in claim 1, and comprising a number of furtherpanels (17), which are hinged to one another to unfoldaccordion-fashion, and a first of which is hinged to the additionalpanel (13) along a third hinge (18) parallel to and opposite the secondhinge (14).
 34. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondhinge (14) is defined by a pre-weakened tear line.
 35. A package asclaimed in claim 1, wherein top portions of a second major lateral wall(7) and of the minor lateral walls (9) of the container (3) which comeinto contact with the lid (5) when the lid (5) is in said closedposition are depressed with respect to the rest of the second majorlateral wall (7) and of the minor lateral walls (9) of the container(3).
 36. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein a releasable fasteningsystem (33) is provided between the additional panel (13) and therespective major lateral wall (7; 8) of the container (3), to keep theadditional panel (13) in contact with the respective major lateral wall(7; 8) of the container (3) with a certain amount of force when theadditional panel (13) is in said folded position.
 37. A package asclaimed in claim 36, wherein the releasable fastening system (33)comprises a number of spots of glue.
 38. A package as claimed in claim36, wherein the releasable fastening system (33) comprises a slit (36)formed in the major lateral wall (7; 8) of the container (3) and forreceiving a bottom edge of the additional panel (13).
 39. A package asclaimed in claim 38, wherein the bottom edge of the additional panel(13) inserted inside the slit (36) is rounded.
 40. A package as claimedin claim 36, wherein the releasable fastening system (33) comprises areplaceable adhesive tab (34), which is connected permanently to a minorlateral wall (9) of the container (3) and releasably to the additionalpanel (13).
 41. A package as claimed in claim 36, wherein the releasablefastening system (33) comprises a tongue (35) projecting laterally fromthe additional panel (13); and a slit (36) for receiving the tongue(35), and which is formed through a major lateral wall (7; 8) of thecontainer (3).
 42. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecontainer (3) is formed from two flat blanks (19, 20); a first blank(19) comprises two first longitudinal fold lines (21), and a firsttransverse fold line (22) defining, between the two first longitudinalfold lines (21), a first panel (7′) defining a second major lateral wall(7) of the container (3), and a second panel (10′) defining part of thebottom wall (10) of the container (3); and the first panel (7′)comprises two wings (9′), which define respective parts of the minorlateral walls (9) of the container (3), are located on opposite sides ofthe first panel (7′), are separated from the first panel (7′) by the twofirst longitudinal fold lines (21), and each have a respective tab (23).43. A package as claimed in claim 42, wherein a second blank (20)comprises a number of second longitudinal fold lines (24), and a numberof second transverse fold lines (25) defining, between two secondlongitudinal fold lines (24), a third panel (26) defining a front wallof the lid (5), a fourth panel (27) defining a top wall of the lid (5),a fifth panel (8′) defining a first major lateral wall (8) of thecontainer (3), and a sixth panel (10″) defining part of the bottom wall(10) of the container (3); the fifth panel (8′) comprises two wings(9″), which define respective parts of the minor lateral walls (9) ofthe container (3), are located on opposite sides of the fifth panel(8′), and are separated from the fifth panel (8′) by the secondlongitudinal fold lines (24); and the additional panel (13) is connectedto one of the wings (9″) of the fifth panel (8′).
 44. A package asclaimed in claim 42, wherein a second blank (20) comprises a number ofsecond longitudinal fold lines (24), and a number of second transversefold lines (25) defining, between two second longitudinal fold lines(24), a third panel (26) defining a front wall of the lid (5), a fourthpanel (27) defining a top wall of the lid (5), and the additional panel(13); the second blank (20) also comprises a fifth panel (8′) defining afirst major lateral wall (8) of the container (3), and a sixth panel(10″) defining part of the bottom wall (10) of the container (3); thefifth panel (8′) comprises two wings (9″), which define respective partsof the minor lateral walls (9) of the container (3), are located onopposite sides of the fifth panel (8′), and are separated from the fifthpanel (8′) by second longitudinal fold lines (24); and the additionalpanel (13) is connected to one of the wings (9″) of the fifth panel(8′).
 45. A package as claimed in claim 43, wherein the third panel (26)comprises two wings (28), which define the lateral walls of the lid (5),are located on opposite sides of the third panel (26), and are separatedfrom the third panel (26) by second longitudinal fold lines (24); andthe fourth panel (27) comprises two wings (29) located on opposite sidesof the fourth panel (27) and separated from the fourth panel (27) bysecond longitudinal fold lines (24).
 46. A package as claimed in claim1, wherein the container (3) is formed from a flat blank (20) comprisinga number of longitudinal fold lines (24), and a number of transversefold lines (25) defining, between two longitudinal fold lines (24), afirst panel (26) defining a front wall of the lid (5), a second panel(27) defining a top wall of the lid (5), a third panel (8′) defining afirst major lateral wall (8) of the container (3), a fourth panel (10′)defining part of the bottom wall (10) of the container (3), and a sixthpanel (7′) defining a second major lateral wall (7); the third panel(8′) comprises two first wings (9″), which define respective parts ofthe minor lateral walls (9) of the container (3), are located onopposite sides of the fifth panel (8′), and are separated from the fifthpanel (8′) by the longitudinal fold lines (24).
 47. A package as claimedin claim 46, wherein the first panel (26) comprises two second wings(28), which define the lateral walls of the lid (5), are located onopposite sides of the first panel (26), and are separated from the thirdpanel (26) by longitudinal fold lines (24).
 48. A package as claimed inclaim 46, wherein the additional panel (13) is connected to the sixthpanel (7′).
 49. A package as claimed in claim 46, wherein the additionalpanel (13) is defined by a seventh panel (13′) and by an eighth panel(13″), which are superimposed and glued one to the other; the seventhpanel (13′) is connected to the sixth panel (7′) along the second hingeline (14) coincident with one of the longitudinal fold lines (24), andthe eighth panel (13″) is connected to the seventh panel (13′) along afold line parallel to the longitudinal fold lines (24).
 50. A package asclaimed in claim 49, wherein minor lateral walls (9) of the container(3) are partially defined by two third wings (9)′, a first of which isconnected to the seventh panel (7′) along a longitudinal fold line (24),and a second of which is connected to the eighth panel (13″) along afold line parallel to the longitudinal fold lines (24).
 51. A package asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the container (3) is formed from two flatblanks (19, 20); a first blank (19) comprises two first longitudinalfold lines (21), and a first transverse fold line (22) defining, betweenthe two first longitudinal fold lines (21), a first panel (7′) defininga second major lateral wall (7) of the container (3), and a second panel(10′) defining part of the bottom wall (10) of the container (3); andthe first panel (7′) comprises two wings (9′), which define respectiveparts of the minor lateral walls (9) of the container (3), are locatedon opposite sides of the first panel (7′), and are separated from thefirst panel (7′) by the two first longitudinal fold lines (21).
 52. Apackage as claimed in claim 51, wherein a second blank (20) comprises anumber of second longitudinal fold lines (24), and a number of secondtransverse fold lines (25) defining, between two second longitudinalfold lines (24), a third panel (26) defining a front wall of the lid(5), a fourth panel (27) defining a top wall of the lid (5), a fifthpanel (8′) defining a first major lateral wall (8) of the container (3),and a sixth panel (10″) defining part of the bottom wall (10) of thecontainer (3); the fifth panel (8′) comprises two wings (9″), whichdefine respective parts of the minor lateral walls (9) of the container(3), are located on opposite sides of the fifth panel (8′), and areseparated from the fifth panel (8′) by the second longitudinal foldlines (24).
 53. A package as claimed in claim 52, wherein the additionalpanel (13) is connected to the sixth panel (10″) along a transverse foldline (25).
 54. A package as claimed in claim 52, wherein the additionalpanel (13) is defined by a seventh panel (13′) and by an eighth panel(13″), which are superimposed and glued one to the other; the seventhpanel (13′) is connected to the sixth panel (10″) along a transversefold line (25), and the eighth panel (13″) is connected to the seventhpanel (13′) along a fold line parallel to the longitudinal fold lines(24).
 55. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container (3) isformed from a flat blank (20) comprising a number of longitudinal foldlines (24), and a number of transverse fold lines (25) defining, betweentwo longitudinal fold lines (24), a first panel (26) defining a frontwall of the lid (5), a second panel (27) defining a top wall of the lid(5), a third panel (8′) defining a first major lateral wall (8) of thecontainer (3), and a fourth panel (10′) defining part of the bottom wall(10) of the container (3); the third panel (8′) comprises two firstwings (9″), which define respective parts of the minor lateral walls (9)of the container (3), are located on opposite sides of the fifth panel(8′), and are separated from the fifth panel (8′) by the longitudinalfold lines (24); a sixth panel (7′) defining a second major lateral wall(7) is connected to one of the first wings (9″) along a fold lineparallel to the longitudinal fold lines (24).
 56. A package as claimedin claim 55, wherein the first panel (26) comprises two second wings(28), which define the lateral walls of the lid (5), are located onopposite sides of the first panel (26), and are separated from the thirdpanel (26) by longitudinal fold lines (24).
 57. A package as claimed inclaim 55, wherein the additional panel (13) is connected to the sixthpanel (7′).
 58. A package as claimed in claim 55, wherein the additionalpanel (13) is defined by a seventh panel (13′) and by an eighth panel(13″), which are superimposed and glued one to the other; the seventhpanel (13′) is connected to the sixth panel (7′) along a fold lineparallel to the longitudinal fold lines (24), and the eighth panel (13″)is connected to the seventh panel (13′) along a fold line parallel tothe longitudinal fold lines (24).
 59. A package as claimed in claim 55,wherein the blank (20) is gummed and folded into a tubularconfiguration; once the blank (20) assumes the tubular configuration,the blank (20) may be flattened for compactness and easy storage andtransport, or may be “opened” to receive an axially fed group (2) ofcigarettes.
 60. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein two transverseedges (12) are defined between the major lateral walls (7, 8) and thebottom wall (10) of the container (3); and the second hinge (14) of theadditional panel (13) is parallel to the transverse edges (12).
 61. Apackage as claimed in claim 60, wherein the second hinge (14) of theadditional panel (13) is coincident with a transverse edge (12).
 62. Apackage as claimed in claim 60, wherein a top portion of a major lateralwall (7) has a recess (16); and the second hinge (14) of the additionalpanel (13) is located at the recess (16).
 63. A package as claimed inclaim 62, wherein the second hinge (14) of the additional panel (13) islocated at the recess (16) and on the major lateral wall (7).
 64. Apackage as claimed in claim 62, wherein the second hinge (14) of theadditional panel (13) is located at the recess (16) and on a collar ofthe container (3).